MACOMB, Ill., April 26 — A new performing arts center by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects is scheduled to begin construction at Western Illinois University. Officials celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking for the WIU Performing Arts Center on the Macomb campus Tuesday.

“We are excited to see this project moving forward,” said Cesar Pelli, FAIA, senior principal of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects. “This will be a wonderful building for the university and the people of Western Illinois.”

Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects is the design architect for the project. The design team is led by Mitchell Hirsch, AIA, LEED AP, principal. OWP/P is the architect of record. Construction for the new 126,000-square-foot building is expected to begin in 2012 and last approximately 30 months.

“We are grateful to Pelli Clarke Pelli and OWP/P for helping us to realize this project. They have been wonderful collaborators,” said Paul Kreider, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication. “This Center has been a long time coming and is sure to re-establish our standing as the cultural center of the region.”

The Performing Arts Center will comprise two brick-clad wings connected by a two-story, glass-walled gallery. The building will contain a 250-seat theater with thrust stage, a 150-seat studio theater and a 1,400-seat proscenium theater.